Gibson scores in Stapenhill draw
Reece Gibson scored his first goal since joining Sutton United as they took a point on the road after Connor Ward’s second half equaliser for Stapenhill.
Gibson’s goal came five minutes before half time after a competitive first half where United had seen the better of the chances in front of goal.
Sutton had Greg Lewis back in goal following his suspension, with Harry Manton, Sam Simmonds, Tom Massey and Gibson all starting. Reiss Hicks also came on in the second half for his first appearance of the season.
There was a close start to the match, with an early chance falling to the Swans when they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, but Sutton’s wall did its job to deny Jack Henchcliffe.
United then had two great opportunities, as first Hayden Froggatt used his pace to round Toby Watson at the byline and cut the ball back for Gildea, whose shot was blocked by a defender, before Benjamin Hammerton gathered on his goal line.
Gildea then hit the post with a free kick that he curled around the Stapenhill wall and Gibson was first to the rebound but couldn’t keep the ball down.
United took the lead in the 39th minute when a free kick at the halfway line was delivered into the danger area by keeper Lewis, and Gibson got the final touch as he challenged for the ball, in front of goal, with the Stapenhill goalkeeper.
The Swans picked up their game in the second half, with Henchcliffe, James Frost and Ben Novis all sending efforts wide of the mark.
For Sutton, Matt Bishop powered a header goalwards after beating Hammerton to the ball, only for Harry Landsdowne to get back for the Swans and clear off the goal line.
Connor Ward equalised for the hosts in the 71st minute with a fantastic strike from 20 yards that thundered into the bottom corner through a packed penalty box.
Both sides then battled hard for the remainder of the match and Sutton had the best chance to win it in the closing stages, but Hammerton made a great save to tip behind Froggatt’s shot from the left of goal.
Stapenhill finished the match with ten men when their goal scorer was dismissed for a reckless challenge in the 90th minute and the match finished with a share of the points.
Next up for Sutton is a trip to MFL Premier side Tividale for their FA Vase clash on Saturday 9th November.
Team: Stapenhill
1. Benjamin Hammerton
2. James Frost
4. Connor Ward
5. Harry Landsdowne
6. Josh Watson
7. Cameron Steele
9. Oliver Roome – 81’ Harrison Smith
10. Jack Henchcliffe
12. Connor Richins (c)
15. Niall Dawkins – 82’ Lewis Campbell
17. Brad Wright – 58’ Ben Novis
Unused Sub: Zachary Hill, Charlie Rumin
Management/Assistants:
Louis Briscoe
Danny Chatfield
Stuart Beckett
Bob Elliott
Team: Sutton United
1. Greg Lewis
2. Jon Grigg
3. Scott Hardy – 82’ James Gallagher
4. Matt Bishop
5. Harry Manton – 63’ Reiss Hick
6. Sam Simmonds – 75’ Jake Murrell
7. Oli Jeeves – 82’ Sef Semlali
8. Tom Massey (c)
9. Reece Gibson – 75’ Abdul Touaiti
10. Joe Gildea
11. Hayden Froggatt
Management/Assistants:
Richard Heath
Liam Burke
Adam Watson
Chris Bratt-Rose
Amelia Small
Match Officials: Shaun Currall, Ashley Boon, Lewis Woollett